title: Morphological changes in skin of different phototypes under the action of topical corticosteroid therapy and tacrolimus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study aimed to investigate the influence of topical corticosteroid therapy and tacrolimus on morphological indices of different skin phototypes and to optimize topical therapy using the OCT technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty healthy volunteers aging from 20 to 30 (14 men and 6 women) took part in the study: 10 persons with skin phototype I, II and 10 persons with skin phototype V, VI. Morphological state of the skin was assessed before and during application of topical steroids of different strength and calciumneurin inhibitors for 49 days. Morphological state was studied in vivo using the optical coherence tomograph.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Morphological manifestations of skin atrophy with the use of clobetasol propionate appear earlier than with the use of hydrocortisone 17-butyrate; this process was faster in representatives of groups V, VI. Epidermal thinning in the zone of tacrolimus application was not recorded in any phototype.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recording of early preclinical signs of epidermis thinning in the course of OCT follow-up may be an indication for changing the corticosteroid therapy by calciumneurin inhibitors, which will permit to individualize the therapy, to increase its efficacy, and to minimize the possibility of complications in each particular case.
authors.affiliation: Nizhny Novgorod State Medical Academy, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.
authors.forename: I L
authors.initials: IL
authors.lastname: Shlivko
authors.forename: V A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Kamensky
authors.forename: E V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Donchenko
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Agrba
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000328:Adult; D001284:Atrophy / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology; D046169:Dermoscopy / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology*; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects*; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016559:Tacrolimus
keywords: optical coherence tomography; skin atrophy; skin phototypes; tacrolimus; topical corticosteroids